PRSA Kansas Responds to Ethics and Conflict of Interest Articles

We applaud the decision by Wichita public relations consultant Beth King to remove herself from the project to bring a $50 million STAR bond entertainment complex at K-96 and Greenwich (“Layton tightens STAR bond review; King steps away from project,” Jan. 13). As a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Ms. King abides by a strict code of ethics, which states, in part, that public relations professionals should “build trust with the public by avoiding or ending situations that put one's personal or professional interests in conflict with society's interests.” In this regard, it appears that Ms. King has taken the appropriate action by ending her relationship with this group as it proceeds forward with its plans.

We are further concerned by council member Pete Meitzner’s statement that the project “doesn’t need any public relations help” (“Fiancee’s ties to GoodSports creates question of conflict for city manager,” Jan. 13). Surely someone who represents the best interests of the citizens of Wichita can appreciate that a project this large and complex could benefit from a proactive public outreach campaign, through the use of strategic public relations activities, such as Ms. King was providing. Doing so, we believe, serves the best interests of Wichitans by providing them with timely information that helps inform their decisions on the merits of this project.

David Austin
Ethics Chair, PRSA Kansas

Crisis communication expert set for Jan. 24 program

Don't miss January's PRSA program with Gordan Bassham of the Wichita Crime Commission. This local leader is a requested speaker across the nation and offers workshops on crisis management. You won't want to miss the insightful explanation of Q=A+1 as it will help ensure your organization is ready for whatever the new year will bring. Ring in 2012 by joining an entire new board as we prepare for managing crisis and delivering messages at critical times. Gordon Bassham joined the Wichita Crime Commission as its fourth executive director on June 21st, 2010 following a long and distinguished career in both journalism and law enforcement. Gordon has worked for ABC Radio News network, National Public Radio, the Voice of America, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He covered NASA flights, national presidential campaigns, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the sentencing phase of the BTK serial killer investigation. Gordon served with the United States Navy in the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Naval Security Group and has an extensive background in crisis management. He will share high-level insights with PRSA leaders in ways to prepare for crisis and handle challenging situations in a professional manner. Cost: $17 for members, $27 for guests, $12 for students. Time: Programs start promptly at noon. Date: Jan. 24 Where: Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas How: RSVP Here.

A year in review while looking to the future PRSA Kansas Annual Meeting

Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum & 2011 PRSA Kansas Chapter president Carolyn Russell in September. This program was a homerun with members. Who would you like to hear from in 2012? REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday Nov. 28 - sooner is better, however! Sign me up for the Nov. 29 meeting!  Join your peers for PRSA Kansas Chapter’s annual meeting on Nov. 29 at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas. 11:30 - noon for networking, noon to 1 p.m. We have a few business topics to cover, most importantly the vote for the 2012 board of directors, but that won't take all of our time. We want everyone to have time to visit with colleagues as we wrap up the last official program of the year. While we have completed the slate of recommended nominees for board officers and some committee chairs, we also will ask for nominations from the floor before we vote. If you plan to nominate anyone but yourself, make sure first that they have agreed to serve, please. And save the date for our after-work holiday celebration at Abode - set for Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5 - 7 p.m. PRSA is inviting other local marketing and communication organizations to join us for us for light snacks, and a cash bar. If you have questions, please contact 2011 president Carolyn Russell at 316.932.0000. Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.

How

When Tuesday, Nov. 29 Networking 11:30 -noon Program noon - 1 p.m.

Cost $12 for students $17 for members $27 for guests

Journalists, students, PR professionals, our community, and so many more join family and friends in grieving for the loss of Les Anderson who died Saturday night from a heart attack. What an inspiration to all who new him and even those who simply knew of him. Our hearts and prayers go out to his loved ones and all whose lives he touched. Les will be missed, but his legacy lives on among those he touched.

Board of Directors

Les Anderson Remembered As Teacher

PRSA Kansas Professional Development Day 2011 a Success

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend PRSA Professional Development Day 2011 - Marketing With Millennials on Oct. 20, 2011 at Red Cross Blood Services.

Jeff Fromm, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Innovation at Barkley, a Kansas City-based advertising agency, shared research from a groundbreaking new study titled, “American Millennials: Deciphering the Enigma Generation.” 

His presentation offered amazing insight into the social, mobile and digital media habits of Millennials. He also revealed Millennial attitudes toward workplace, cause marketing and packaged goods, restaurant, travel, tourism and retail sectors.

Members of the Kansas chapter seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Sherry Chisenhall, editor (and a leader in digital news strategy), accompanied Nussbaum. Both fielded questions during the Q&A session.

Nussbaum spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, print and digital advertising and some personal experiences. Nussbaum said she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

Nussbaum said the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website—kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting. “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the new publisher and the editor, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita.

"She reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially in journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

2011 PRSA Kansas Clarus Awards

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Mayor Carl Brewer and

Rebecca Gannon Hosted the 2011 PRSA Kansas Clarus Awards Luncheon at the Wichita Boathouse.

Congratulations the 2011 Clarus winners

You made us proud.

Here’s a list of the winners and those who contributed to the projects and campaigns.

Best of Show

Greg Standifer from Sullivan Higdon & Sink for Coleman’s Paul Teutul Jr. "Grill Road Trip" campaign. 

Contributors: Alex Stern, Lathi de Silva, Sarah Derreberry

Clarus winners

• Barry Owens, United Way of the Plains, external video category, campaign video
• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, community relations/causes category, Tender Ridge Angus Beef “Acts of Tenderness”
  
  • Contributors: Sarah Hecox, Stephanie Stover and Lathi de Silva
• Greg Standifer, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, creative tactics category, Meyer Natural Beef
• Contributors: Christy Niebaum and Aubrie Lockamy
• Greg Standifer, special events category, Coleman Grill Road Trip (contributors listed previously)
• Kevin Keplar, Wichita State University’s Elliott School of Communication, special events category, Engage campaign
  • Contributors: Eric Wilson and Dr. Susan Huxman of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University, and Mike Rishell of the WSU Foundation.

Excellence winners:

• David Austin, Envision, brochures category, Child Development Center
• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink,integrated communications category,Blackwell Angus Beef NASCAR racing outreach for Cargill
  
  • Contributors: Preston Brin, Brock Campbell, Lathi de Silva
• Jamie Opat, Starkey, public affairs category, “Enough is Enough” campaign
• Alex Stern, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, multimedia communications category, Kansas Health Foundation annual report
  
  • Contributors: Shawn Harris, Steve Hobson and Chad Smith
• 2010 PRSA Kansas board, internal communications category, Board members: Andrea Anglin, Denny Bender, Krista Blaes, John David Burkholder, Regina Dulac, Shelley Downs, Susan Dyer, Philip Gaunt, Tom Gdisis, Deanna Harms, Jennifer Keller, Teresa Kunze, Andy McGinnis, Jamie Opat, Angela Palacioz, Angie Prather, Jessica Richardson, Carolyn Russell, Kris Schindler, Cynthia Wentworth, Eric Wilson, Lynn Woolf

Merit winners

• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, web site category, Westar Energy
  
  • Contributors: Amy Jabara, Shawn Harris, Steve Hobson
• Teresa Kunze, brochures, “Circles of Hope” for Peace Connections
  
  • Contributors: Myrna Krehbiel, Marika Jones, Wanda Pumphrey, Kare McPheeters
• Craig Lindeman, Wichita State University, public affairs category, “Shockolate.”
  
  • Contributors:Craig Lindeman, Beth Tully, Sandra Denneler, Johanna Fonkert
• Craig Lindeman, Wichita State University, brochures category, “Viewbook”
• Jamie Opat, Starkey, annual report category
• Alex Stern, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, external video category, “Soldier” for Pratt & Whitney
  
  • Contributors: Steven Hobson, Ken Smith, P. Scott Fleming, Steve Hart

Professionals who received special recognition awards were:

• Professional of the year - Jennifer Keller, Communications Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services - Central Plains Region
• Distinguished service award - Denny Bender, Area Vice President at Arthritis Foundation - Heartland Region
• Executive of the year - Bishop Michael O. Jackels, Catholic Diocese of Wichita, for the Together Vision.

The PRSA California Inland Empire Chapter judged the entries. Points were given based on depth of research; strategic and creative planning and implementation; and measurable results.

PRSA Kansas Chapter in the news:

Blog: WBJ BizTalk – Sept. 20, 2010
Wichita Businesses Jumping On To Social Media Scene
by Emily Behlmann, Web Reporter

About PRSA Kansas

September program with Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum 

Members of the Kansas chapter seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. 

The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Editor Sherry Chisenhall, a respected industry leader in digital news strategy, accompanied Nussbaum and both fielded questions from members during the Q&A session that followed.

Nussbaum spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, advertising in print and digital form, and some of her own personal experiences. Nussbaum said that she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

According to Nussbaum, the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website — kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the editor, and the new publisher, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita," says Stanley.

"Nussbaum reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially for journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, advertising in print and digital form, and some of her own personal experiences. Nussbaum said that she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

According to Nussbaum, the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website — kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the editor, and the new publisher, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita," says Stanley.

"Nussbaum reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially for journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

Members of the Kansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Editor Sherry Chisenhall, a respected industry leader in digital news strategy, accompanied Nussbaum, and both fielded questions from members during the Q&A session that followed.